Wire Grass, Indian goosegrass, Yard Grass, Goose Grass
Eleusine indica
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal.
Eleusine indica is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Roadsides and waste places.
Tropics. Naturalized in S. Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Seed - cooked. The seed is rather small, it is sometimes used as a famine food. Used as a millet, it can be cooked whole or ground into a flour and used in making cakes, gruels etc. Young seedlings - raw or cooked and used as a side dish with rice. Root - raw.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The whole plant, but especially the root, is depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative and sudorific. It is also used in the treatment of liver complaints. The plant is a component of the 'basic remedy' in Vietnamese traditional medicine, it is also used in the treatment of influenza, hypertension, oliguria and retention of urine. The plant can be used fresh or dried.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
Other
Rating: 0
The stems are used to make mats, baskets etc. The plant is suitable for paper manufacture.
Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
Weaving: Items such as grass and palm leaves that are woven together for making mats, baskets etc. See also Basket making and Fibre.
How it is grown
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil in a sunny position. This species is the probable ancestor of E. coracana, a species that is cultivated for its seed. A polymorphic species. Special Features: Invasive, Naturalizing.
Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. The seed can also be sown in mid to late spring in situ, though if the summer is cool it might not ripen its seed.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist